Girl Scouts of Maine proudly announces that Dr. Laura Thompson,
Director of Sustainable Development & Policy Initiatives at Sappi
North America, will be honored at the 21st Annual Women of Distinction
Gala on December 7, 2017, at The Westin Portland Harborview
hotel.
The Women of Distinction Gala is an annual event
that celebrates women whose individual excellence and high levels of
achievement distinguish them as outstanding members of their
communities and exemplary role models for today's girls.
“For 105 years, Girl Scouts has helped shape girls aspirations and
confidence in areas that need more female leadership,” said Joanne
Crepeau, CEO, Girl Scouts of Maine. “Women are particularly
underrepresented in STEM fields and Girl Scouts has programs committed
to increasing girls’ interests and abilities in these disciplines.
Exposure to STEM professionals has real impact on girls especially
when they see women pursuing careers in science, technology,
engineering and mathematics. This is why we are thrilled to honor
Laura Thompson, whose professional pursuit and many accomplishments
make her a perfect role model for women, of any age, today. Girl
Scouts encourages girls to make a difference in the world and Laura is
certainly doing that.”
Director of Sustainable
Development & Policy Initiatives, Thompson is responsible for
working with Sappi’s leadership to set strategy, establish long term
goals and drive key initiatives, enabling the company to be recognized
as a leader in sustainability. She also serves as an industry and
academic thought-leader. Whether it is eco-labeling, life cycle
analysis, sustainable forestry or greenhouse gas emissions, Thompson
presents information grounded in facts and science, in a voice that is
unparalleled in the pulp and paper industry.
Thompson has
a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of
New Hampshire and an MS and PhD in Paper Science from the Institute of
Paper Science and Technology. Since 1995, she has held a variety of
positions within the paper industry including research, mill
environmental, product development, marketing, and for the past 10
years, sustainable development. Thompson participates on boards and
committees for the American Forest and Paper Association, TwoSides US
Sustainability Committee and the environmental non-profits, GreenBlue
and The Recycling Partnership. She continues support to her alma mater
as a judge for the UNH Social Innovation Challenge and as a member of
the Environmental Engineering Advisory Group.
Since
stepping into her role, Sappi has been recognized for numerous
sustainability awards from several associations and customers, and in
2014 Thompson was awarded the 2014 William D Schaeffer Environmental
Award by the Printing Industries of America.
Outside of
work, Thompson routinely volunteers her time in the local community
with educational outreach and mentorship for various programs
including the Codman Academy Charter School in Dorchester, MA,
supporting the Living Land and Waters mission to clean up the nation’s
rivers, and the ongoing partnership with the Green Neighbor
Fest/Urban-Run-off 5k in Portland.
Thompson and her
partner Wendy divide their time between Portland and Boston.
The Women of Distinction Gala will be held on December 7, 2017.
For more information, visit www.girlscoutsofmaine.org/womenofdistinction.
For information about sponsorships, contact Darcy Foerster at or call 772-1177.
Laura Thompson, PhD named Girl Scouts of Maine’s 2018 Woman of Distinction
17 Jul 2017
